Day 316 - Wash Your Baby's Hands Often

Today's first time parenting tip - As your baby gets older and more active, washing their hands more often is more important

When your baby's idea of a good time was laying on their back for two hours looking at a ceiling fan, cleanliness wasn't as much of an issue. Now they're into everything, playing with and eating food, making messes and getting into all sorts of messy trouble.

And if they're going to day care or around other kids, that's a good eight hours in a germ factory. They'll touch anything and then stick their hands right in their mouth and not think twice about it.

So it's up to you to keep their hands clean. My son has a yeast infection right now, so we've got to be extra careful with our own hands and his so it doesn't spread to his mouth or eyes. He started scratching his eyes a bit last night and we were getting worried.

Most babies love to play in running water, so it should be easy to get them to cooperate. Put their hands under the running water and wash them up with a mild soap. You can sing a song while you do it or count, but a good 20 seconds or so should do the trick. Rinse them off and send them on their merry way!

At the minimum, you should be washing their hands before each meal.

Parenting, Wash, Hands, Cleanliness, Germs